The drums of the battle sound (or, could even say that the Gears of War are running) for a live adaptation of the third -person “Gears of War” video game. The game series started in 2006, and it has a new episode, “Gears of War: E-Day”, which had just been in development last year. While the Games have shown no signs of stopping, the prospect of a film adaptation of the series has been bandaged for almost as long as the series existed, with a new line cinema which would have the rights in 2007. Adaptation then finally ended in Netflix in 2022.
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Now, finally, the play of musical chairs of potential filmmakers seems to have ceased, the realization functions falling on David Leitch, that the Hollywood journalist dit is in negotiation to direct the film “Gears of War”. If this agreement is concluded, Leitch and its production partner (and also wife!) Kelly McCormick will produce the film through their 87NOTH company in collaboration with the Coalition, the video game company which has and manages the series of games. Jon Spaihts, the screenwriter who worked on “Prometheus”, “Doctor Strange”, and Dune “Dune” by Denis Villeneuve, will be part of the script.
Although no other detail is available, this little announcement seems damn promising for “Gears of War”. On the one hand, it is all the more likely as a cinematographic version is ultimately made, which is a victory for property given its gestation for several decades. For another, Leitch’s attachment is encouraging for game fans and action cinema fans in general, because his style of cinema (and 87orth) is not only invigorating and winning, but is not opulent that the film should be in danger to refer again.
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Leitch is one of the last populist gender filmmakers who can work with a budget
The intrigue of the “Gears of War” games is the one that apparently lends itself to an extravagance blockbuster on a budget. In matches, an obstacle soldier named Marcus Fenix, leading a team of elite killers known as Delta Squad, must fight for the future of humanity itself against a horde of underground beasties known as Locust. This is the kind of configuration that would look like Catnip to Michael Bay, James Cameron, or Ridley Scott, filmmakers whose penchant for the generosity on and off screen is now the legendary fabric. Although Netflix is apparently optimistic to transform the “Gears of War” into a franchise with several parts for the service – they plan to follow the film live with an animation series, then other projects after that – their choice of Leitch talks about certain stops with which they are approaching the film.
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Leitch and its former 87 Pal Chad Stahelski played a decisive role in the American cinema revolution which started with “John Wick” of 2014, and they have since continued to manufacture and produce a series of action films that do not necessarily seek to be blockbusters of a billion dollars, but which have a sampling for them in an carefree way. With “Deadpool 2” and “Hobbs & Shaw”, Leitch has proven that he can take a pre -existing series and continue his success while creating. With “The Fall Guy” from last year, he even proved that he could resuscitate an old property and infuse charming, freshness and verve. As McCormick told me in an interview of 2022, she and Leitch were mainly interested in keeping action films in cannon style and Carolco of yesteryear, films which are at least somewhat modest in reach and budget while not sacrificing any of their action or their impact.
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All this means that, although Netflix has become notorious for its expenditure habits, a “Gears of War” led by Leitch will probably be able to bring both the scope and the visceral sensation necessary for such an adaptation to work, even less to do. It is an exciting perspective, therefore for fans of games and action / science fiction / horror films, we hope that Leitch’s marriage and “Gears” really sticks.
